Vice President Joe Biden has a word with Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra before speaking at a conference on gun violence at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Conn., Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013.
Photo: Carol Kaliff

Vice President Joe Biden is thanked by Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra after speaking at a conference on gun violence at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Conn., Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. Right is Mayor Bill Finch, of Bridgeport, Conn.
Photo: Carol Kaliff

Vice President Joe Biden kisses Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra after speaking at a conference on gun violence at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Conn., Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. Right is Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch.
Photo: Carol Kaliff

Gov. Dannel Malloy, left, speaking before the arrival of the vice president, told the audience that Biden would probably mention his grandparents in his remarks. Sure enough, within minutes, Biden brought up his grandfather to the amusement of the Governor and audience. Vice President Joe Biden was at Western Connecticut State University Thursday, Feb. 21, 2012, addressing a conference on gun violence.
Photo: Carol Kaliff

Gov. Dannel Malloy, left, speaking before the arrival of the vice president, told the audience that Biden would probably mention his grandparents in his remarks. Sure enough, within minutes, Biden brought up his grandfather to the amusement of the Governor and audience. Vice President Joe Biden was at Western Connecticut State University Thursday, Feb. 21, 2012, addressing a conference on gun violence.
Photo: Carol Kaliff

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch speaks at a conference to end gun violence at Western Connecticut State University Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. Vice President Joe Biden, seated next to Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra, was a key speaker.
Photo: Carol Kaliff

Vice President Joe Biden kisses Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra after speaking at a conference on gun violence at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Conn., Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013.
Photo: Carol Kaliff

Connecticut Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty speaks with Vice President Joe Biden at the end of his talk at a conference on gun violence at Western Connecticut State University Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013.
Photo: Carol Kaliff

David and Francine Wheeler, parents of six-year-old son Ben, a victim of the Sandy Hook shootings, attend a conference on gun violence at Western Connecticut State University Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013.
Photo: Carol Kaliff

Lynn and Chris McDonnell, whose daughter Grace, was a victim of the Sandy Hook shootings, attend at conference on gun violence at Western Connecticut State University, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013.
Photo: Carol Kaliff

Lynn and Chris McDonnell, whose daughter Grace, was a victim of the...

Chris and Lynn McDonnell, whose daughter Grace, was a victim of the Sandy Hook shootings, are part of a panel discussion at conference on gun violence at Western Connecticut State University, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013.
Photo: Carol Kaliff

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, left, joined by U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty, address a conference on gun violence at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Conn., Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013.
Photo: Carol Kaliff

Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, right, and Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty, join the applause for Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. A conference on gun control was held at Western Connecticut State University on Thursday.
Photo: Carol Kaliff

Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman and State rep. Bob Godfrey greet each other at...

Chris and Lynn McDonnell, whose daughter Grace, was a victim of the Sandy Hook shootings, are part of a panel discussion at conference on gun violence at Western Connecticut State University, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013.
Photo: Carol Kaliff

Vice President Joe Biden speaks with Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra as they sit together on stage at a conference on gun violence at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Conn., Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. Congressman Jim Himes is right.
Photo: Carol Kaliff

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, left, shakes hands with Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch after speaking at a conference on gun violence at Western Connecticut State University Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013 in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: Carol Kaliff

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch gives a kiss to Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra after introducing er at a conference to end gun violence at Western Connecticut State University Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013 in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: Carol Kaliff

Although the conference was billed as an academic discussion on gun violence and protecting kids, the focus was clearly on pushing gun control legislation now on the table in Washington, D.C., and Hartford.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy used the event to announce his own set of gun control measures weeks ahead of three task forces -- including one he formed -- currently studying gun violence and school safety issues at the state Capitol.

"We have changed," Malloy said, referring to the effects of the Newtown tragedy. "And I believe it is now time for our laws to change."

After the Newtown shootings, Biden chaired a task force that developed a series of gun control proposals now before Congress, including reinstating a federal assault weapon ban, mandating universal background checks, banning high capacity magazines and cracking down on so-called "straw" purchases.

"We haven't been invited to virtually anything," Crook said. "I would think it would be appropriate to have someone there to represent the gun owners."

"It's par for the course," added Scott Wilson, president of Connecticut Citizens Defense Fund. "The focus of the people with the institutions of power is clearly against being able to own guns. They are silencing the gun lobby.

"It steps in a direction they want to go. They don't want certain things. What about future generations? My son may not have the same choices I have," Wilson said.

During a 30-minute speech at Western, a school Newtown shooter Adam Lanza briefly attended, Biden laid down a challenge for those who he said unduly fear the powerful national gun lobby.

"If you are concerned about your political survival, you should be concerned about the survival of our children," Biden said. "I can't imagine how we will be judged if we do nothing. There is a moral price to be paid for inaction.

"The opposition throws up question after question because they are looking for roadblocks," Biden said. "They say all you want to do is deny their rights under the Second Amendment. Not true.

"They say it's not about guns. They are wrong. No law-abiding person should fear that their constitutional rights will be infringed in any way," Biden said.

"Newtown changed us all. What I saw was through the eyes of a parent," Blumenthal said. "The world is different today, and Newtown has changed America."

Newtown First Selectwoman Patricia Llodra urged lawmakers to take action. "Don't let the tragedy in Sandy Hook be just another event in which no meaningful legislation was put in place," she said.

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan recalled his time as head of the Chicago school system. He saw up close the steady flow of death on the city's streets because of gun violence.

"I grew up on the South Side of Chicago and I saw role models and mentors dying. It had a huge impact on me," Duncan said. "Sometimes you pick the time, and sometimes the time picks you. This is the time."